The Walrus Says

OK guys, listen up. At this rather late stage in our life, we have come upon moments of total peace.

It's called a facial.

Now guys, before you skip ahead to the next item, stay with us and read on.

During a discussion with a close friend, the subject of facials came up. They're not for us, we murmured, we're a guy.

The next thing we knew there was a gift certificate in the mail for a special facial at the Cathryn Jamieson Salon. So, with much reluctance we called and made arrangements.

On a Saturday morning we arrived a little early for our 11:15 appointment and while waiting we took the opportunity to meet the person faced with the unenviable task of closely examining and possibly removing parts of our face.

She is Nessa (Christien) Ferreira from Switzerland who spoke only her native French before coming to the United States nine years ago to learn English. She planned to return to her homeland after a year and enter the tourist and travel business, which requires fluent English. She acquired her English by visits to the library and reading childrens' books, watching TV and listening to the radio. Today her speech has just a suggestion of her native French.

During the past nine years she has also taught herself Spanish and sign language in the same way.

Nessa's plans changed and she didn't return home after a year. She met and married Rich Ferreira who is a former member of the Jamestown Fire Department and owns a tobacco store on Broadway in Newport. They live in the city's old fifth ward.

Nessa graduated from the Warwick Beauty Academy and a little over a year ago, while working as a nanny in Jamestown, was walking down Narragansett Avenue and stopped in the salon to see if any work was available. She was hired on the spot.

Nessa is an esthetician. She does waxing, body treatments, make up, various types of facials and tinting. On that Saturday she had us scheduled for a deep cleansing essential facial.

When the big moment arrived, she took us back to where we used to get haircuts. The focal point of the room is an examining table covered with a heated blanket. We were told to strip to the waist and get under the blankets. Nessa was concerned with our comfort and asked about possible allergies, whether or not the blanket was too warm and if we have respiratory problems that might be aggravated by steam.

With our eyes covered with patches against the glare of the overhead lights she started by applying a dry skin cleansing followed by an exfoliant that felt like little beads rolling around on our skin. Next was a hot towel to open the pores and to ease the extractions. Then the extraction itself, the longest of any of the procedures.

Following that was a toner that Nessa said, "brought back the right 5.5 ph renewing the skin's glow and radiance." The entire session took a little more than an hour. Nothing was rushed. It seemed like only half that time.

The highlight of the procedure was the facial massage. It seemed as though Nessa's fingertips barely touched our face, as if they seemed to float gently above the surface just grazing the skin. It was a most unusual experience.

The last procedure was the mask. "This opens the pores again and takes the impurities out and helps hydrate the skin," she explained.

At that point in the session we were almost asleep. We had to leave the mask on for the final 12 minutes.

With the lights down and the muted sound of meditation music in the background it was total stress free time.

We asked Nessa how many of her facial clients are men? We were surprised when she answered 25 percent and added that most were businessmen looking to relax. "Many say it's better than a massage."

We drank to that with a glass of water given us to rehydrate our body and end the experience.

And what a great experience it was.

***

Many thanks to the islanders who recently sent in their donations to the Rocket Dawgz for the big blast on July 4.

They are Marion and Bill Sheehan of Cole Street; Ann Zartler of Juniper Circle; Mr. and Mrs. James Wright, Clinton Avenue; John and Teddy Leyon, Conanicus Avenue; David and Sharon Michael of Seaside Drive; Fred and Barbara Reif, Emerson Road; and the customers of McQuade's who dropped their change in the donation can.

Only seven weeks to go and we're way behind this time last year. Send us your money so we can blow it up. Send it to Fireworks Fund, Box 1776, Jamestown, 02835.

KA-BOOM!!

***

Justice has come to Jamestown.

Welcome to this 1 1/2-year-old male Pembroke Welsh corgi who is living with Leslie Vanbeuren on Pemberton Avenue. Justice flew here from a farm in Iowa.

If any new critters of any species have joined your family recently contact this column and we'll announce the arrival.

***

Kudos to islander Mary Rafferty who will receive the Dean's Medal for Excellence in the McLaren College of Business for 2007 when she graduates from the University of San Francisco Saturday.

A letter from Dean Mike Duffy explains that the medal is presented to the graduating senior who has best exemplified in academic accomplishments, extracurricular work and personal life, the values of the University of San Francisco in its mission and goals.

Mary grew up on the island. She is the daughter of Lisa and Jim Rafferty. "We are very proud of her," her mom said.

***

We had three responses to last week's poser. Patty Vandal, Bob Kinder and Barbara-Ann Mac Intosh all e-mailed the right lyrics.

"I know a little bit about a lot of things, but I don't know enough about you,

Just when I think you're mine you try a different line and baby what can I do,

I read the latest news , no buttons on my shoes, baby I'm confused about you,

You've got me in a spin and what a spin I'm in, cause I don't know enough about you.

Jack of all trades, master of none, isn't it a shame.........."

We remember it well.

*** Hubba Hubba!!

***

There's a lot of plain old common sense involved with protecting your pet from harm says Dr. Joshua Hatch of the Jamestown Animal Clinic in his Pet Tip of the Week.

"Some of the injuries we see every year are just unfortunate accidents like sprained joints or stepped on paws. However, other injuries are preventable if simple precautions are taken. You would never drive off without buckling your seat belt, yet many people do not invest in a simple harness or carrier to keep their pet buckled up and safe in case of an incident while driving. Many people let their pets off their leash while on walks.

"If you walk Fluffy at night, why not invest in a vest or leash and collar with reflective patches and make sure to carry a flashlight so motorists can easily see you and your pet and give you a wide berth on some of these narrow, poorly lit roads. Please, take the same precautions with your pets that you would take with other loved ones and reduce the chance of an avoidable accident occurring."